Keeping our streets clean and tidy is a firm commitment for Plymouth City Council, as it is revealed over 120,000 hours has already been spent cleaning the City streets and over 4,000 tonnes of sweepings, litter and flytipped waste has been removed over the past 12 months.
Environmental Enforcement Officers are also patrolling the City, issuing fines to those who flout the law and are caught littering. Last year they issued 1,642 fixed penalty notices to those caught littering, 47 to individuals littering from a vehicle and 105 to fly tippers.
As Plymouth prepares to emerge from lockdown, further measures are being put in place to encourage residents and visitors to dispose of their waste sensibly. That includes an anti-litter campaign with new signage on bins and working with local businesses to give advice on how to control their waste.
Supporting local green initiatives is also part of the Clean City message. The Council supports ‘Clean Our Patch’, a community organisation run by volunteers who facilitate litter-picks across the City. A new ‘Preventing Plastic Pollution Project’ will also be launched, aimed at reducing the use of plastic, including food waste packaging.
Councillor Sue Dann, Cabinet Member for Street Scene and the Environment said: “Most people in Plymouth manage to dispose of their litter and waste legally and appropriately.
"Sadly, there is a minority of people who do not and we do take action against those responsible.
“Our Street Scene team and the volunteers who work hard to combat the ongoing litter challenge. It needs to stop now. Littering is illegal, anti-social, has a negative impact on our environment and costs thousands of pounds each year to clear.”
Councillor Sally Haydon, Cabinet member for Customer Focus and Community Safety, said: “Unfortunately, each time restrictions have been lifted and more people have been going outside, our streets have suffered from the impacts by a small minority of people littering and spoiling our wonderful City for others.
“Our message is simple. Don’t be a tosser! Use a bin or take your litter home. If you are caught littering – you will be fined.”
Those who are caught littering, this includes chewing gum or not clearing up dog waste, will be fined £100.